title: Method for ultrastructural studies of the intact tissue-metal interface.
abstract: Samples were prepared for ultrastructural studies of the intact interface between metallic implants and tissue by transmission electron microscopy. The method is based on plastic embedding of implant and tissue and subsequent removal of the bulk metal by electrochemical dissolution (electropolishing), to facilitate preparation of ultrathin sections for transmission electron microscopy. Surface sensitive spectroscopy (Auger electron microscopy and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy) and transmission electron microscopy EDX results show that the method produces samples with an intact interface, containing the implant surface oxide and the adjacent tissue. Examples of application of the method on titanium, zirconium and aluminium implants in soft tissue are given.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Bjursten
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Emanuelsson
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Ericson
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thomsen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lausmaa
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mattsson
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rolander
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kasemo
mesh_terms: D000535:Aluminum; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D008670:Metals; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010537:Peritoneum; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011506:Proteins / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium; D015040:Zirconium
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008670:Metals; D011506:Proteins; D015040:Zirconium; D000535:Aluminum; D014025:Titanium